BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- The Dakar Rally roared out of Buenos Aires with a ceremonial parade of hundreds of vehicles departing from its famed Obelisk on Saturday, Jan. 1. The 16-day trek takes drivers 5,903 miles across northern Argentina, through the Andes, the Atacama Desert of Chile and back to the Argentine capital. Officials listed a record 430 official starters, up from the 362 who were enrolled last year. The actual number starting the race is always lower. This year's route goes northwest from Buenos Aires, with the racers crossing into Chile. Racers then head north through the Atacama Desert then to the Arica in the far north of Chile, on the border with Peru. The race then turns south and crosses back into Argentina on Jan. 12. It ends on Jan. 16 in Buenos Aires. The rally was always held in Europe and Africa until the 2008 race was canceled because of fears of terrorism. It was moved to South America the next year. The rally is run in the middle of the South American summer, a highlight for school children on vacation. [43 Shots]

2. Spain's driver Carlos Sainz steers his Volkswagen with co-driver Lucas Cruz on the podium during the symbolic start of the Dakar 2011 Rally in downtown Buenos Aires on January 1, 2011. The Dakar 2011 Rally will take place in Argentina and Chile from January 1 to 16. AFP/ Getty Images / Daniel Garcia

5. BMW car driver Stephane Peterhansel and co-driver Jean-Paul Cottret, both from France, compete during the second stage of the 2011 Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally between Cordoba and San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina, Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. AP / Natacha Pisarenko

6. Biker Yannick Guyomarch, from France, rides his KTM motorcycle as people watch during the second stage of the 2011 Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally between Cordoba and San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina, Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. AP / Natacha Pisarenko

7. Children wave as a biker competes during the second stage of the 2011 Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally between Cordoba and San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina, Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. AP / Natacha Pisarenko

8. Biker Giulio Napoli, from Italy, rides his Beta motorcycle during the second stage of the 2011 Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally between Cordoba and San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina, Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. AP / Natacha Pisarenko

9. Volkswagen's driver Carlos Sainz and co-driver Lucas Cruz, both from Spain, compete during the second stage of the 2011 Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally between Cordoba and San Miguel de Tucuman, Argentina, Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. AP / Natacha Pisarenko

19. The shadow of a helicopter is seen near parked vehicles after the fourth stage of the 2011 Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally between Jujuy, Argentina, and Calama, Chile, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. AP / Natacha Pisarenko

20. Volkswagen's driver Giniel De Villiers, from South Africa, and co-driver Dirk Von Zitzewitz, from Germany, compete in the third stage of the 2011 Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally between San Miguel de Tucuman and Jujuy, Argentina, Tuesday Jan. 4, 2011. AP / Stephane Mantey

29. Motorcycles and quads competitors are seen from an helicopter during the start of the 9th stage of the 2011 Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally in Copiapo, Chile, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2011. AP / Natacha Pisarenko

39. View of the tent of massages after the end of the Dakar 2011 Rally fifth stage between Calama and Iquique on January 6, 2010, in Iquique, Chile. AFP/ Getty Images / Daniel Garcia

40. Kamaz team masseur Bolat tends to driver Artur Ardavichus, both of Russia, at the camp at the conclusion of the 9th stage of the 2011 Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally in Copiapo, Chile, AP / Natacha Pisarenko

41. Mechanics work on the Yamaha of Italy's biker Antonio Cabini after the end of stage 5 Calama-Iquique of the 2011 Dakar Rally, in Iquique camp, northern Chile on January 6, 2010. AFP/ Getty Images / Daniel Garcia

43. People wash their faces at the Dakar camp before the start of the 10th stage of the 2011 Argentina-Chile Dakar Rally between Copiapo, Chile and Chilecito, Argentina, Wednesday Jan. 12, 2011. AP / Natacha Pisarenko